26 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 PEOPLE / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Tony Hards, former chairman and managing director of Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) and Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE) has passed away aged 84 following a short illness. The team and current managing director at IFS, Eric Keane, have expressed their sadness upon learning about Hards’ death, especially due to the legacy and success he was known for. According to the company, Hards possessed a “dogged” and “never-give-up” attitude which enabled him to quickly become known in the industry after joining GAE (forerunner company to IFS) in the 1960s as its top sales colleague. Hards moved into senior management in the mid-1980s when he acquired ownership of GAE, partnering with his long-term business partner Bryan Godwyn. Writing about his memories of Hards, Keane says: “I first met Tony in 1980 when I joined GAE as a young salesman, Tony was a great mentor, he taught me so much about the business, all of which served me well over the decades in several successful business ventures. “Tony was great at spotting talent and so many current and former colleagues enjoyed their time in successful careers working under Tony’s direction.” Hards was well-known within the commercial print and machinery supply sectors thanks to his active role in industry association, PICON, as well as his relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. In 2012, Hards was awarded the title of Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspapermakers in recognition of his life-long contribution to the print industry. Today IFS is a supplier of finishing equipment to the graphic arts sectors as well as the exclusive distributor of Horizon quick-response finishing solutions in the UK and Ireland. Keane adds: “Tony was very much a disrupter in the printing machinery market and simply loved the challenge of bringing into the market many new product ranges. The most successful of these introductions being Horizon. Tony secured the agency for Horizon Print Finishing products in 1981 and established their products as UK market leaders.” The team at IFS says Hards will be sorely missed and passes on their sympathies to his family, friends, associates, and everyone who knew him. Former IFS chairman passes away aged 84 By David Osgar The Printing Charity, an organisation which supports individuals and companies within the print industry through various forms of support, has announced Nicky Morgan as its 2024 president. Nicky Morgan, the Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes, accepted the charity’s invitation to hold the office of president for 2024 due to her connection to the industry after her time as Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary. Morgan comments: “During my time [in her role] I saw firsthand how print, publishing, and graphic arts, and the trades allied to them, such as packaging and paper, continue to shape and define UK culture.” Serving in the Cabinets of former prime ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson, Morgan was the Member of Parliament for Loughborough between 2010 and 2019 and also served as Minister for Women & Equalities and Education Secretary. Morgan is now a member of the House of Lords and carries with her experience within both the private and public sectors, including a career as a solicitor specialising in mergers and acquisitions. Nicky Morgan, the Rt Hon Baroness of Cotes is Charity's 2024 President Nicky Morgan has accepted the charity's invitation to be its president for 2024 Ricoh UK has announced Simon Wheeler as its new strategic account director for high-speed inkjet solutions, succeeding Patrick Neininger who is retiring at the end of March 2024. Wheeler has held executive-level positions at the likes of Hewlett Packard (HP), Canon, and Océ and has had a career in the print industry which spans 25 years across areas such as the UK, EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand. A provider of integrated digital services and print solutions, Ricoh has continued efforts to expand including the release of new colour presses as well as initiatives like Ricoh UK’s continued work with The Prince’s Trust. Speaking about this latest appointment and the retirement of Neininger, Tim Carter, commercial print director at Ricoh UK Graphic Communications, says: “I’d like to thank Patrick on behalf of everyone at Ricoh for his dedication and success, and wish him a very happy retirement.” Carter adds: “We look forward to welcoming Simon and the wealth of knowledge and experience he will bring to the team. Simon’s expertise will be instrumental in delivering our ambitious growth strategy.” Ricoh announces Simon Wheeler as new strategic account director Simon Wheeler has been chosen due to his “in-depth understanding” of inkjet technology Tony Hards was known for his love of golf and was a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC
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